Buffalo Bills: 53-man roster prediction after second round of cuts

Defensive Tackle (3)

Starter: Star Lotulelei, Ed Oliver

Backup: Harrison Phillips

Cut: Justin Zimmer, Vernon Butler, Brandin Bryant, Treyvon Hester, Joey Ivie

This position is very tough to predict and what I would say is most likely to be wrong on this list. Lotulelei and Oliver are roster locks but after that, it is unknown. If Phillips did not injure his knee against the Bears I would say he was a lock. After a strong week in camp and a good showing against Chicago, he flipped from being cut in the last roster prediction to being in pretty good standing.

Although he is hurt I still think he makes the roster. The question now becomes, because Phillips is hurt Buffalo is inclined to keep more than three defensive tackles. Well, it first depends on what Sean McDermott thinks of Efe Obada and Boogie Basham and their ability to play inside.

If they need the help and carry four defensive tackles cutting a player elsewhere I would give the edge to Justin Zimmer over Vernon Butler. Butler does come from the Panthers a known pipeline to the Buffalo Bills but with Butler out five days because of COVID protocols and Zimmer playing well in the preseason, I think the choice would be obvious. However, if Phillips can enter the season healthy I think Buffalo goes into the season with only three defensive tackles.

Sure this is a little risky but with 10 total defensive linemen, I am confident that McDermott could make it work. If Buffalo only carries three expect several guys to be on the practice squad. While Zimmer and Butler would be great additions to the practice squad do not sleep on Brandin Bryant who played well against the Bears this past weekend. Treyvon Hester and new signee Joey Ivie are likely on the outside looking in and not threatening for a spot on the roster.